Hey all,
I was referred to this forum because I'm trying to find a working keyboard Famiclone. Does anyone have one that they'd be willing to part with? I'm trying to get one to use in the Playpower project. Thanks!
MakerShed sells one for $30, but it seems to be out of stock at the moment:
http://www.makershed.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MKPP1 (http://www.makershed.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MKPP1)
I need to buy one of these, too.
From the reviews, it looks like that particular unit has bad keyboard problems.
Quote from: UglyJoe on July 08, 2010, 09:49:27 am
MakerShed sells one for $30, but it seems to be out of stock at the moment:
http://www.makershed.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MKPP1 (http://www.makershed.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MKPP1)
Yeah, that was why I came here. They are *officially* sold out. Evidently, they still have some in them warehouse, but when I asked how to buy it, I never got a response. I heard there is someone around here that can get these systems though? Am I wrong about that?
The problem with stocking edutainment famiclones is the shipping costs. Because of their size, unless you ship a full container of them, it will be really expensive.
How soon/desperate are you in terms of getting a unit?
I don't recommend it, but if your really out of options I could probably get a Subor unit from China for you. It would probably be expensive, no real way to guarantee all the keys work (No way to accept returns), nor any guarantee that it runs on NTSC, and it would take weeks to arrive but it is an option.
(http://shenjingbing.typepad.com/Assembler4/SHXP0010-3.jpg)
I personally would be interested in that... But... How expensive are we talking about?
Pretty expensive. Because it wouldn't be in bulk, probably like $69 per unit without factoring in shipping which would be equally bad. Unless you have no alternatives, I wouldn't recommend it.
It might be cheaper if you want a keyboard without the software (this one comes fully loaded), and more expensive if you want a 16-bit version keyboard. But it really depends on availability as I'd have to hunt for a supplier.
I'm trying to hunt around from some contacts to see how much shipping is for different systems. I know shipping is going to absolutely kill me here, but I don't have much of an option. And thanks for the offer Trent, and i agree that that would be an absolute last-ditch effort. (It'd probably cost me as much as my pre-order of the Starcraft 2 LE pack.)
Ya. It's kind of a rip. It might be cheaper, I'm just ball parking the figures because I don't know how much it would cost after finding a supplier in China, shipping, and paying off all the people who want their cut of the pie. And that's not counting the shipping to the actual person who wanted the unit in the first place (--_--)>
I heard from Derek Lomas of Playpower that minimum order for these things is like 1-2,000. Either that, or a ridiculously high order, but this is for custom units (he's trying to get the 72-pin slot installed to make programming for the system easier). Does anyone know what the minimum order from the manufacturers is?
Hrm... If your buying stock units, unless they are "samples", expect to buy around 1000pcs before they'll even work with you. If you get lucky, you might get away with 500pcs, but thats pushing it.
How many people aside from the two that I know of are interested in getting a keyboard? I made some hard inquiries and provided enough people want one (to make it cost feasible), I might be able to snag them at around $49 per unit for people.
However that wouldn't include shipping, which would be steep because they wont' ship directly to people. I'd have to receive them and then ship them out again to each person (>_<)! I think it has something to do with trust because they don't want to get busted for selling pirated software/hardware or something.
Maybe there should be some kind of separate thread for a request or something.
This is a request thread....
Quote from: MS-DOS4 on July 12, 2010, 10:58:17 am
This is a request thread....
I meant a mass request thread, not just for one or two people.
I don't think a mass request thread is going to stir up enough interest to order 500 units.
Actually, I had no intention to go to the manufacture. I was going to go to local dealers/suppliers to obtain the necessary quantities. Perhaps in the realm of 10pcs? If the quantity is just 1 or 2 pcs, it wouldn't be worth while.
Oh. I thought you were considering ordering from a manufacturer. lol
How much are your guys charging per system? The price you listed on the previous page?
Real cost to a buyer would be $49 + shipping. Actual unit cost would depend on the local distributors, but it's in the $17 to $20 realm. The remainder of the funds would be divided among all people running around doing the actual grunt work in China, as well as a small amount for personal time.
Depending on available stock, perhaps even a small order of just 5pcs might be feasible. I dunno, but I'll have to check with my cousin in China to see.
Baring in mind that shipping will likely be steep, is anyone actually interested in getting in on a keyboard? If we get at least 5pcs to be spoken for, at least I can start looking into what models are available and peoples preference (if any).
I'm interested in one if you can get a NTSC version. I have a PAL version now.
Hrm... Unfortunately, there's no real way to know which we'll get. In China they use PAL, but also NTSC in some parts. Many TV's in China can accept both signals. Since many sellers don't really know the difference between PAL/NTSC I doubt they could clarify it but I can always ask. However, as with everything in China, it's a calculated risk.
Yeah. I worry about that. Oh well. There ain't many other ways to get these things outside of ordering them through another member here. But I don't want to make him get a bunch if he's only going to be paid shipping and the price of the system. :/
Well, it might not be a big slice of the pie but everyone gets at least a few crumbs to keep.
Oh well. I'm probably gonna wait out to see if anything shows up around here.
I might end up getting a few keyboards in as a gamble anyway. When I do take some stock of them, I'll let people know if they are interested in getting one.
*raises hand and wiggles it around frantically*
I've picked up some software on cartridge that I've been dying to try out.
lol MS-DOS4. I don't even know if I can use it yet, so i'll wait to see.
What's the name of that charity that sends these around in the 3rd world? Maybe there could be something said for talking to them...
I am actually a volunteer for them: Playpower, it is. They actually have to buy their own units from the manufacturers, so no dodging the bullet here.
There's a cheap one on ebay right now, just a heads up.
HERE (http://cgi.ebay.com/Famiclone-system-Nintendo-Famicom-NES-keyboard-/110560363569?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Video_Games&hash=item19bde94431)
Looks suspiciously like that other Famiclone that was trying to sell on ebay at over 90+ used (Without even shipping), and came with no mouse. Maybe the seller finally got wise?
As for importing a few Famiclone keyboards, unfortunately I've come down with a nasty cold so I haven't really done any work to move on that yet. Hopefully once I recover it will proceed as normal.
That one for 90 was in my state. I couldn't believe he wanted 100 for it.
FYI: No guarantee on stock, but I put a request out for about 4 Famicom-in-a-keyboard systems, and one for the 16-bit keyboard systems. I should hear back on it soon.
Does it come with the mouse?
What price range do you think you'll be selling one for?
The same $50 + shipping?
I have for sell many, brand new. Two types available if u are interested:
1.) One is like this:
(http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/7559/konsolatv.jpg)
2.) Second is like this:
(http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/8493/1150781473.jpg)
Voltage: Input 220/230V, Output 9V in PAL system.
Delivery cost to any countries in the world from here 30$. It is economy, without tracking number option.
If someone is interested let me know proposition with price on PM.
Sorry for off topic: I have also famiclones for sell, brand new. This one looks very funny :)
(http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/2140/10809703.jpg)
@MS-DOS4 : Yes, they come with a mouse. Should be about $49 like I mentioned, but that's without the crippling shipping charges :-) In addition, the base price might move up or down depending on how much it costs to move it out of China. The exact model which I requested is pictured here:
(http://shenjingbing.typepad.com/Assembler4/box.jpg)
(http://shenjingbing.typepad.com/Assembler4/SHXP0010-3.jpg)
As you can see, it comes fully loaded with mouse, gamepads, and compatible software. The software generally includes an OS (Ie. Windows/DOS), educational learning, Basic, Dictionaries, etc. The one pictured above comes with about 8 software cartridges, and I believe each contains several bits of software. The units I get might not be exactly as pictured (depends on availability), but we'll see what units I can turn up.
In any case, they will be genuine Subor Chinese keyboards and not generic no-name clones. They should be fully compatible with all Waixing and Nanjing software titles.
Well I'll start saving up immediately Trenton. All those different cartridges look very cool!
Not to beat a dead horse again, but do you know if these keyboard clones are NTSC or PAL?
As of this moment, I still have no update regarding that as I am still waiting from the suppliers. I'm hopeful they will know how to tell if it's NTSC or not. Otherwise, I'll simply test them myself when I receive them.
Even if they turn out to be PAL, I think I'll be happy considering the software, quality, and the fact I'm sure converters exist to go from PAL --> NTSC. If it were a dirty no name keyboard from Russia, perhaps not as happy (^_^); But it's likely to be NTSC as other Subor Keyboards i've seen are NTSC as well.
Anyway, thanks for the interest. I'll keep people posted.
Quote from: Trenton_net on July 29, 2010, 06:08:13 am
I think I'll be happy considering the software, quality, and the fact I'm sure converters exist to go from PAL --> NTSC.
The cheap PAL-->NTSC converters require a TV that has a vertical hold adjustment. The converters that don't require this cost WAY too much to even bother with, as do video processors.
I've been down this road as I already have a PAL keyboard clone and I've yet to find a solution so I can use it.
Ah, that would explain the huge price gab between models! Let's keep our fingers crossed in that case!
UPDATE: Actually, one way you could use it is by using a PC capture device, a DVD recorder, or any multi-region device that allows you send PAL input. Provided you find something with low lag that might work. But I'm just grasping at straws, I have no idea since I never tried it.
Well we can still play, right? It'll just be black and white.
As far as I know, yes it will just be in black and white. I think it only becomes unplayable if you go the other way around, in which case it will flicker like mad. Someone correct me if I'm wrong :-)
QuoteThe software generally includes an OS (Ie. Windows/DOS), educational learning, Basic, Dictionaries, etc.
That sounded cool to me just by it's self. Do you draw graphics, or just code?
That depends on the kind of Basic they decided to implement.
Quote from: MS-DOS4 on July 29, 2010, 07:50:24 am
Well we can still play, right? It'll just be black and white.
No. It will not be playable. With a cheap PAL to NTSC converter you'll get a scrolling color picture. Without one, you only get sound and a scrambled image.
Darn. Hopefully these units turn out to be NTSC.
Quote from: ericj on July 29, 2010, 09:59:55 am
Quote from: MS-DOS4 on July 29, 2010, 07:50:24 am
Well we can still play, right? It'll just be black and white.
No. It will not be playable. With a cheap PAL to NTSC converter you'll get a scrolling color picture. Without one, you only get sound and a scrambled image.
Actually, thats not entirely true. For me, I got a black and white image which was only slightly off, but still playable when hooked up to an NTSC TV (Your mileage may vary). If connected to the input of a DVD player/recorder which can accept and playback both NTSC and PAL signals, it worked fine. But the later setup I didn't personally do as my cousin in China did it.
Anyway, some good news: The Famiclone keyboards arrived and everything is in good working order. Aside from a little box ware from shipping, everything is brand new. The unit looks exactly as I pictured before and I can confirm that it comes with the software also pictured. On the main OS cartridge, you get Subor's version of Windows 2000, complete with working DOS prompt as well as built in software on the virtual HD's. On the other cartridges, you get several multi-carts which include Chinese original games (or very heavily modified hacks - I couldn't tell), of titles like Contra, etc.
All in all, it looks like the most complete Famiclone keyboard package around. Programming basic on it is hilarious as well as using the DOS prompt to launch applications (instead of the GUI). The down side? As mentioned above, it was tested for NTSC/PAL and it seems the keyboard natively outputs PAL. The image shows up fine for me in Black and White, but if you want color and a more properly aligned image, I'll Need to invest in a small converter box or find a DVD player which can do the conversion for you.
I'll make a formal post about it in the upcoming days. Given the massive size, shipping from China, and all the accessories and games that come with it, pricing is estimated at $59 per unit. Shipping to your location will vary depending on where you are. I only have 3 consoles available (actually I have 4, but I decided to keep one since the bundled software is so interesting and probably rare as heck to obtain sans keyboard), so be prepared to speak up if your interested in one. (^_^);
Quote from: Trenton_net on September 08, 2010, 08:07:46 am
For me, I got a black and white image which was only slightly off, but still playable when hooked up to an NTSC TV (Your mileage may vary).
Interesting. My PAL keyboard famiclone won't display a viewable picture, but I'm trying to use it on CRT televisions. What type of display are you hooking it up to?
I tried it on a CRT. Haven't tried it on an LCD yet, but each manufacture would have different specs for how they handle signal formats (So your mileage will vary).
Quote from: ericj on July 29, 2010, 06:48:29 am
Quote from: Trenton_net on July 29, 2010, 06:08:13 am
I think I'll be happy considering the software, quality, and the fact I'm sure converters exist to go from PAL --> NTSC.
The cheap PAL-->NTSC converters require a TV that has a vertical hold adjustment.
How do you tell if your TV has a vertical hold adjustment? Is there a knob somewhere?
It will probably be a knob on the back of the set from my experience. However, if you get a black & white picture, maybe this wouldn't matter. None of my 3 CRT TVs will display like Trenton's.
Well, I just checked an unused TV at school and it had the V HOLD knob on it's back, but it's really old. I guess my modern TVs at home won't have this feature.
Probably not. I've only seen them on older TVs, especially the kind with the channel selection knob.
By the way, I had one more question. Have you fully tested the keyboard on the one you took for yourself? If so, how's it's quality? I hear these famiclone keyboards often have bad keys.
I checked it over briefly before putting it away and it seemed to be in working order. I wrote a small Basic program and I noted no issues. The keyboard itself is actually quite sensitive, which was a surprise. I thought I would have to mash hard to get any input on them. The mouse works pretty well too. But by no means am I saying I would abuse the keyboard. While it does work fine I bet it's a lot easier to, say, rip off a key when compared to a real PC keyboard. But that's just par for the course with Chinese goods.